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With the Golden State Warriors taking on the Denver Nuggets in Game 5, many will be watching to see if the Dubs can close out the series.
Golden State is one of the championship contenders in the NBA, and they have a commanding 3-1 lead over the Nuggets. The Warriors lost Game 4 126-121 in their first chance to finish them off.
The Warriors have gotten back to being an elite team for the first time since the 2018-19 season. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are all healthy at the right time, while they have added new role players.
Jordan Poole has burst onto the scene, emerging as a star in this postseason. Poole is averaging 24.3 points and 5.8 assists per game in his first playoff series. He is also shooting efficiently at 59.6 percent from the field and 51.9 percent from behind the arc.
Andrew Wiggins has also had a great season, making his first All-Star appearance. Golden State also has solid role players to complement them. Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II, and Otto Porter Jr. have all played their roles well.
With a superior roster and playoff experience, the Warriors have a great shot of winning Game 5. That being said, here are 3 bold predictions for the Warriors' Game 5 vs. Nuggets in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
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Warriors Game 5 Predictions
3. Stephen Curry takes over, dominates offensively
Stephen Curry is the best shooter in NBA history and one of the great players to ever play basketball. What makes him even better is his willingness to accept a role off the bench. This is Curry's first action since he was injured, and it is difficult to be thrust into a playoff series.
While Curry won't be on the bench for long, many other stars would not be able to accept not being a part of the starting unit.
Even off the bench, Curry has had a big impact on the Warriors. He is averaging 27.5 points per game along with 5.5 assists. He is shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from downtown.
With championship experience under his belt, Curry should lead the Warriors as they look to eliminate the Nuggets.
2. Jordan Poole bounces back, scores 25 plus points
Poole has become a rising star, and his play in the playoffs has been phenomenal. While Poole has become a household name this season, it was not always like that. Just last season, Poole was in the G-League, working his way up to the NBA.
He now has established himself as a great player and unofficially became the third splash brother in Golden State.
With Curry and Klay Thompson often capturing the attention of the defense, Poole is free to gain favorable matchups. This benefits him as both a scorer and a playmaker, allowing him to post solid numbers. Poole should have a bounce-back performance in a Game 5 matchup after scoring only 11 points in Game 4.
He can score from anywhere on the floor and is lethal from the three-point line.
1. Warriors win, advance to second round
Although the Warriors did not eliminate Denver in Game 4, they should be able to back on their home floor in Game 5. Nikola Jokic has been going off, but if the Warriors can contain the rest, the series should be over.
Jokic is averaging 31.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game in the four games against the Warriors thus far.
Jokic has been performing at a high level all season long, but it was the others contributing that led to Golden State's loss in Game 4.
Four Nuggets were in double figures besides Jokic, including two with at least 20 points. Golden State has a solid defense, and they should be able to adjust in Game 5.
While the Warriors struggled to close in Game 4, they have the talent and scheme to finish off Denver in Game 5.
